Article coating apparatus



May 5 l942 w. J. SCOTT ETAL Y ARTICLE COATING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet l wila@ 2 www 2 wn/rms www ma. am@ JHM. Ww 5 IML d.

May5, 1942. w. J. sco'n' afmy 2,282,252

ARTICLE 'coATINe APPARATUS A Filed June 25, 1940 9 SheefrS-Sheet l2 F y i rra/:wir I May 5; 1942. w. J. SCOTT ETAL ARTICLE COTING APARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 25, 1940 May 5 1942 vw. J. SCOTT ETAL 2,282,252

ARTI'CLE QCOATING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1940 2 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 o I yFIG. 9 f

w mwa/rs W. J. Scarf G. STU/4L FAUTH May 5, 1942. w. J. SCOTT ET A1.

I ARTICLE COATING APPARATUS Y 9 sheets-sheet 5i Filed June 25, 1940 May 5, .1942. w. J. scoTT ET AL ARTICLE ;COATING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Amm/fr May 5, 1942- w. J. scor'r ET An ARTICLE lCOATING' APPARATUS Filed June 4.'25, 1940 SfSheetS-Sheet 37 May 5, 1942. W; J. SCOTT ET Al.

ARTICLE COATING- APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 May 5, 1942.

W. J. SCOTT ETAL ARTICLE comme APBARATUS Filed Ju'ne 25, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATTO/PNR line 9 9;

Patented May 5,1942

UNITED STATE ARTICLE coA'rrNG arrana'rps walter J. scott, aan@ amgesmmmtafl Chicago, Ill., assignora to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, im Y., a

corporation o! New York application-June' 25, maserati No; mais (ci. @ci-cs) 21 claims.

This invention relates to article coating apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for applying a vitreous enamel coating on articles.

a-tray cleaning mechanism, and a furnace. linA the loading position; mechanism responsive to the travel of the carrier deposits the articles in spaced relation on the moving carrier. In the enamel applying unit, vitreous enamel in the form vof iine particles Iis distributed uniformly over the tray rea. In the cleaning mechanism, which is also actuated lby the carrier mrvement, a series of bars lift the enamel covered articles from the/carrier and a pair of rotary brushes sweep the enamel from the carrier surface, after which the articles are returned to the carrier. The enamel bearing blanks on the clean carriers are then passed into .a furnace where the enamel is fused into a smooth, uniform and durable coating.

Following is a more detailed description oi the invention taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section of a coating apparatus embodying certain features of the invention; g

Fig. 2 is an enlarged and sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken on the line 2-2;

Fig. 3- is a sectional view of Fig. 2, taken on the line 3-3;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken on the line lvl;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 2, taken on the line 55;

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 3 and shows this portion of the 'apparatus at a different stage of its operating cycle;

The apparatus com- Fig. 10 is a sectional view of Fig. 9 taken on the line lil-lil;

Fig. 1l is an enlarged view in section of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1: Fig. 12 is a sectional view of Fig. 11, taken on the line IZ-l;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of Fig. 1, taken on the line I-is; f

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of Fig. 13, taken on the line i4|4;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of Fig. 13 taken on the line {I5-l5;

Fig.- 16 is a wiring diagram for a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram for another portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

The specific apparatus shown in the draw- -ings is primarily 'adapted for the enameling of telephone dial number plates and similar articles. Telephone dial number plates 5, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, comprise a substantially fiat, ring-shaped body with a central openingv 6 therein. These number plates are usually punched from sheet metal and a vitreous enamel coating is applied on one faceffof the plate.

The general arrangement of the apparatus for applying this enamel coating is shown in Fig. 1. Mounted on a floor 1 or base is a trarne B made of structural members suitably braced, On the topo! the frame are mounted a pair of parallel and elongated ways 8, each formed of two spaced channels. Supported on each vof these ways and on a series of pulleys I0 suitably mounted on the`frame below the ways is al continuous belt Il. The belts are driven by a suitable motor (not shown). Carried on the paral-` lei belts above the ways are trays l2 on which the articles to be coated are supported. The moving belts carry the trays and articles along the ways ilrst through -a loader M, where the articles are deposited on the tray from hoppers and -then through an enamel applicator I6 which deposits particles of enamel frit uniformly overl the tray area. The belts then carry the trays and articles through a cleaner I6 where the enamel is removed from the trays and finally into a furnace I1 in which the enamel is fused .into a coating. 4

The article supporting trays (Figs. 6 and '1) Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 6 taken on the 50 have a substantially rectangular frame 20 line 1-1;

Fig. 8 is a partial view in section of Fig. 6 taken on the line 8 8;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 taken on the formed of bar stock and a series of spaced transverse cylindrical rods 2l extending between and secured, as by welding, to the side members of the frame.

These rods are arranged in pairs 5 for supporting the articles.

l ward edge (Figs. 2 and 3) ofthe bar.' "one end of a lever 46 havingits yopposite end l mounted on a pin 41 bracketed. on the frame leg and an intermediate roller '48 riding on a l lcam 43 fixed to the drive shaft.

The loader (Figs. 2 and 3) has av skeletonized `frame made of structural members welded together. This frame comprises a horizontal top plate 22Which is positioned just above the path of the trays and is supported on top of two legs 23 secured to the floor. Extending between and ilxed to the legs just above the iloor is a shelf and cross brace 24.

Extending above and through vthe top p'late4 recesses 21 in its top surface. One recess corre sponds to each hopper and is adapted to receive the bottom varticle in the hopper. A portion28 of the feeder plate within each recess is cut away so that the article rests upon a ledge.

The feeder plate is supported across two spaced arms 30 and 3| (Fig. 2) secured to its end portions. Both arms are pivoted von a horizontal shaft 32 extending between the frame legs. The

right arm (as viewedin Fig. 2) terminatesv at the shaft. The left arm 3i extendsbelow the shaftand the lextension carries a roller` 33 in engagement with` a grooved cam 34 on a drive shaft'35 supported in bearings 31 in the i machine frame. The drive shaft is. rotated by" `a motor 38 through a chain 40 (Fig. 3).. The

groove in the cam 34 is cut to cause the feeder plate to move forwardand back across the bot-v during one revolution of the tom of the hoppers cam.

position.v lThese stripping pins depend from a yoke having a pin supporting bar 42 extending across the frontof the hoppers and a side member 43 at each endthereof extending alongside of the hoppers. The side members 4are each mounted on a hinge 44 on the top plate 22 of the frame to permit and up -and down move- The stripper pins are actument of the pins. ated through a rod 45 hinged to the right forpin supporting Hinged to the lowerv end of this rod is The cam 49 is shaped to. cause the stripper pins to come down and enter the center .holes in the articles at themoment the feeder plate w becomes fully advanced (Fig. 6). During this `movement the stripper pins pass through 'the l cut-outy portions in the feeder plate. The pins A series of ilve article stripping pins 4I one for each hopper, are provided for removing the i articles from the feeder plate in their forward supporting rods in the tray. 'These lugs actuate a conventional mercuryswitch mounted on a pad 52 securedrwith screws 53 to the ways .3 just below the pathl of the tray.

Theswitch comprises a mercury containing bulb 54 with the usual contacts therein and lead wires secured thereto. The arrangement 'of the contacts and leads will be described later. The mercury bulb is supportedl on a shaped bracket 55 having its upperv end portion pivotally supported on a pin 56 extending from the pad. Adjacent to the mercury bulb is a vertical shaft 51 rotatably mounted in a U-shaped support 58 on the pad 52. Fixed to and extending from the top of the shaft above the support is a lug 59 adapted to be engaged by the tray lugs in passing. Fixed to and extending from the bottom of this shaft -is an oset extension 60, A link 6| connects the -outer end of this extension with the bottom portion of the mercury bulb carrying bracket 55.v The link is mounted on appin 62 on the shaft extension anda pin 63 on the mercury bulb bracket. A helical spring 64 encircling the shaft 51 has its lower end embedded in the shaft and its upper end engaging. the shaft support. Thus, when the tray I lug engages the lug on the shaft,l the .shaft is rotatedl and this movement in turn vtilts the mercury bulb through the link 6I. As soon as the tray lug passes theshaft, the helical spring restores the shaft and the mercury bulb to their normal positions. These movements of the mer-y 'i cury switch control operation of 'a single revoluremain in their down position and hold the articles while the feeder plate 'returns to its normal position. As soon as the feeder plate withdraws sufllciently to clear the articlesi the articles 'p slide off of the pins onto the tray which is positioned below the Aends of the pins.

tion clutch on the drive shaft; y

As stated previously, .the loader is driven,

through the drive shaft 35 by means of the chain r4l). -The chain engages and drivesr a collar 65 (Fig. 4) which normally floats on the drive shaft and Acomprises one member of a toothed clutch. The other clutch member is a' collar 66 which is slidably fixed to the drive shaft through a spline 6 1. Yoked on and extending downwardly from this collar is a clutch lever 63 having its intermediate portion fulcrumed on a fixed pin 68 extending from the machine frameand its lower lend portion secured to the plungers of two Opposed solenoids mounted on the framep The left solenoid 10 (Fig. 4) when energized attracts its plunger 1i and-shifts the clutch lever and splined collar to the rightv toengage the clutch. The right solenoid 12 when energized attracts its plunger 13 to shift the lever and splined collar to their normal positions and thus release the clutch.

vPositioned below the drive shaft to the left of the clutch (Figs. 2 and 5) is a circuit holding and limit switch 14. This switch comprises a contactbox 15, a breaking the contacts and a plungerv actuating arm 11. This arm has one of its ends mounted on a 'pivot 18 and has a roller 19 at its other end which bearsfunder spring pressure on the The operation 'of the loader and the travel of the trays along the ways on the belts is coloading operation is controlled by a switch acordinated to insure the proper positioning of the `article on the. trays. 4To accomplish this, the

plunger, against a cam 80 on the 'drive shaft. v

The circuit diagram for the mercury switch,.

solenoids and the limit switch' is shown infFig. 16. The mercury switch contains two pairs of contacts whichare engaged alternately as ythe bulb is tilted by tray movement and returned to normal. In one of these sets of contacts, which are made when the mercury bulb is tilted by the tray lug, one Vcontact 3| 'is connected.

to a power'source 82 through wire 83 and the other contact 84 is connected totheI winding of the-clutch engaging solenoid 1li through a -wire 85. The other side 'of this solenoid windplunger` 16`for making and ing is connected to the power source by'A a wire 88. In the other set of contacts in -the bulb.'

bulb when the' shaft on the switch is engaged by a tray lug and the bulb is tilted from its normal position. This completes the circuit to solenoid 10. which engages the clutch and starts rotation of the drive shaft. As soon as the tray lug passes the switch,.the helical spring on the switch returns the bulb to normal, which opens contacts 8| and 85 and closes contacts 81 and 89 in the limit switch circuit. Meanwhile, the cam 80 on the 1imit switch plunger has been rotated by the drive shaft sufllciently to separate the plunger 16 and contact 92 in the limit switch. These limit switch contacts remain open until the cam nears the end of one complete revolution,'. at which time the cam moves the plunger into engagement with the contact to complete the circuit to the clutch releasing solenoid 12. At this time the circuit to solenoid has been broken,

assente mounting plate. Positioned in the opening between the bottom of this nxed`v plate and theI roller is an adjustable gate member IIS which'is the mounting plates ||2. Extending from eachv bracket is a threaded member ||9 which passes pivotally supported across the full length of the gate opening. The adjustable member is an angle and fixed to each end portion thereof is a supporting arm llt, which is pivoted on a bolt ||1 in a mounting plate. These arms support the angle' and also permit the angle to move through an arc in the hopper opening in close engagement with the fixed plate.

A, gate adjusting mechanism is mounted at each end of the angle on fixed brackets ||8 on through a hole in the angle and there` is a coiled spring around the threaded member between .the angle and the bracket. Threaded onto the member above the angle is an adjusting nut |2| and snack-nut |22. By manipulation of these nuts, theposition of the angle and the size of the gate opening can be accurately adjusted.

Below the hopper in the path of the enamel falling from the roller is a screen |23 in` a frame IM supported on straps |25 hung from the mounting plates. The screen is positioned just above the path of the article bearing trays and extends across the full tray width, so that all of by` restoration of the mercury bulb and opening ofbulb contacts 8| and 84, and the solenoid 12 is thus able to shift the lever 68 and release the clutch to stop the machine. When the mercury switch is engaged by the next tray lug, the circuit through the limit switch to solenoid `12 is opened initially, by movement of the bulb and opening of contacts 81-89, which permits solenoid 10 to operate and engage the clutch.

-As stated above, there is one switch-actuating lug on the tray frame tor each pair of article supporting rods in the tray. As each of these lugs engages the switch, the loader is caused t'o operate through one complete cycle and deposit a row of five articles on each corresponding pair of tray rods. Thus the articles are positioned in parallel rows over the tray surface.

After the trays are loaded, they are carried by the moving belts into the enamel applicator I5. This portion of the apparatus is enclosed in a sheet metal cabinet |29 (Figs. 11 and 12) that is suitably framedwith structural members.

In the upper portion of this cabinet is s. hopper IM containing the vitreous enamel frit in the form of small particles. This hopper. has parallel end walls |02, a sloping forward wall IIS, a sloping rear wall l, and .a removable cover, III. The bottom of the hopper is formed by a cylindrical roller |06- rotatably mounted in bearings |l1 in the frame. This roller. is driven by a motor lll and belt Ill through a 4variable speed reducer ||l which is connected to the roller through an extension I on the roller."

The roller engages the forward hopper wall |03 and rotates towards a gate mounted on the lower end portion of the rear wall itl. The gate is adjusted to regulate accurately the quantity of enamel frit removed from the hopper by the rotating roller. 'Ihe gate is supported between two rigid and parallel mounting plates ||2 which This plate is supported by a bracket Il'li on each the enamel passes through the screen in its passage from the hopper to the articles.

Below the trayis a 'chute |26 for receiving the enamel frit that is not accumulated on the articles or the tray. This chute leads to a suitable receptacle |33 (Fig. 1) from which the frit is returned periodically to the hopper.

To prevent the deposit of enamel on the-belts and ways, the ways do not extend through the enamel applying area and the belts are detoured around this area (Fig. l1). The belt pulleys |21 are mounted on bearings |28 below the path of tray travel and they carry the belt below the enamel accumulating portion of the chute |26. To support the tray in its passage through the chute. idler rolls |29 are positioned in the chute on bearings in the machine frame. The belts move the tray into the cabinet through an opening |30 in. the cabinet wall, and ontothe idler` tion, thevfront end of the tray is engaged by the belts beyond the idler roll and the tray is then moved from the cabinet through 'a cabinet wall opening ill.

The trays and articles are next carried into the cleaner I8 where the enamel particles are removed from the trays but not from the articles.

The cleaner (Fig. 13) comprises a frame of structural members welded together and an enclosing cabinet |35,l made of sheet metal and supported on the frame. Thebelt supporting ways 9 extend through this cabinet with the inner edge of each way` aligned with a side member of the tray. The conveyor belts and the trays enter the cabinet through an opening |36 (Fig.

14) in the cabinet wall and leave` the cabinet Fixed to the top portion of this shaft above the upper shaft bearing is an elongated horizontal member |43 of rectangular cross section extending parallel to and mid-way between the two conveyor belts. AProjecting vertically from g the top of this memberv are a-series of cylindrical posts |44. These posts are spaced apart a'dis-v tance equal to the spacing of each pair of article supporting rods in the tray and an article lifting bar |46 is mounted on the top of each post. .Each

of these article lifting bars extends horizontally l for substantially the full distance. between the side members of the tray and is dimensioned to t between a pairv of article -supportingrods in the tray.

Mechanism is provided to raise these bars and cause them to lift the articles from the tray and j then lower the bars to return the articles to the tray. In the base of the cabinet is-a reversible gear motor |46 bolted to members |41 of the machine frame. 1 is a cam |48 having a surface groove.|.49 therein cut in the form of a spiral, Positioned in the cam `groove is a rollen |50 mounted on the vertical Keyed to the shaft of this moi or shaft |38. When the cam is revolved by the gear motor, the roller riding in the groove is raised and raise them above the tray and when the shaft Iis lowered, the bars deposit the articles on the tray.

During `the period that the articles are raised labove the tray surface by the lifting`bars, the

enamel particles are removed from the tray by a `pair of rotating cylindrical brushes |53 which pass under the lifting bars across the tray surface. One of these brushes is normally positioned above each of the beltsl parallel to the edges of the tray (Fig.'l3) and mechanism is provided for rotating the brushes and moving each brush inwardly half way across the tray surface.

The two brushes are similar in construction and they are similarly mounted. Each brush is suspended from a rotatable horizontal shaft |55 po' supporting arms, a gear |13 adapted to engage the teeth in the rack-guide. Outside of the gear a flanged guide roller |14 is freely mounted on the shaft for engagement with the guide v shoulder on the guide-rack; On the other end of the brush/shaft is a freely mounted roller |15 in engagement with the guide bar |66.

The ends of'the short arms .|6| in the bell cranks are Joined with a link |16 supported on pins |11 on each of thearms, so that motion'applied to the cranks pinned to one of the shafts |56 is transmitted to thecranks pinnedto the (other shaft.

To rotate the shafts` |55, and thus move the brushes, a lever arm |19 is secured with a pin |80 to the mid-portion of one of the shafts.

(Left shaft in Fig. 13). Linked to the end of the lever lon a pin |8| is a vertical brush-actuating lever or lowered across the face of the cam which moves the shaft |38 and the'apparatus mounted `thereon correspondingly. As the shaft is raised by the cam, the'lifting bars engage the articles |82 which extends along the side of the cabinet to the bottom of the cabinet. Linked to the 'nottom of this vertical lever on a pin |93 is a horivlzontal lever |84 which extends across the bottom of the cabinet and has its opposite`end linked on a pin |85 supported on the cabinet wall. Mou'n'red at an intermediate portion of this horizontal lever is a roller |86 in engagement with the spiral groove |49 in the cam |48, As this cam rotates,

the roller falls and rises across the cam face; to

move the vertical lever |82 down and up. As the vertical vlever moves down, it rotates the shafts |55 tov move'all four bell cranks |59 and this motion carrieseach of the brushes half-way across the surface of the tray. During this travel the brushes are held against their guides by the springs |64 and the gear on each brush shaft is fheld in engagement with the rack teeth, causing the brushes to rotate and sweep all of the enamel particles from the tray surface onto a sheet n ymetal shield |88 below the tray.

sitioned above and parallel with the belts in end y bearings |56 on frame members |51 adjacent to the "cabinet wall. ,Pinned to each end portion of each shaftwith a pin |58 is a bell crank |59 havi ing a long arm |60 extending downwardly to ward the brush and a short arm |6| extending toward the center of the cabinet. Linked to the ing portions in a plane parallel to the plane of- -the tray. One guide b ar is mounted at each end ofthe brushes, The left guide |66 is mounted on brackets |61 on `the cabinet-wall. Atthe 'right end of thevbrushes is `a combination rack-guide |68. mounted on'well brackets |69, with a series of teeth |10 in one lower end portion and va guide`v` shoulder. |1| adjacent thereto.

Each brush hasa'shaft |12', whichrotatably engages the brush-supporting arms |69. Fixed on each/ brush shaft at one end, outside of the v the plate is a stop |94 having. an offset top end portionv adapted to engage the top of the L The operation of the cleaner is responsive to the movement of the trays on the conveyor belts and the mechanism is actuated by the arrival of a tray in the cabinet.

'Secured to the frame member |40 (Fig. 14T is aA control mechanism supporting plate |90. Bolted to this plate is a lever supporting bracket |9| and one end of a shaped lever |92 is pivoted on a pin |93 on this bracket. Also supported on lever. A coiled spring |95 is mounted under `tension between the bottom portion of the stop and a projection |96 depending from the lever below its pivot.vv This spring tends to hold the lever against they stop.

l At the free end of the lever 92 a bell crank |91 is mounted on a pivot |98 with -a torque spring |99 also on'the pivot. This crank has a .vertical arm 200 normally positioned (when the lever'is against its stop) in thepath of a tray moving into the cabinet. The horizontal arm 20| of the bell crank is normally held against a s-top 202by the spring and this arm actuates a starting switch 203 in the motor circuit, by

shifting the switch plunger 204 when the bellcrank is moved by a tray. When a tray engages thev bell crank arm 200', vthe crank moves sufllciently to operate the starting switch and then stops, holding the tray stationary during the operation of the article lifting and brushing mechanism. As Apreviously explained, operation of the -motor causes thearticle lifting bars to raise I the articlesfrom the tray, vthe brushes Vto sweep acrossthe top of the tray, and the bars to re- .place the articles on the tray. -These operations are performed while the tray is held by the bell crank and the conveyor belts slide along the bottom of the tray frame during this period.

After the articles are replaced on the cleaned tray, the tray is released by the bell crank and removed from ythe cabinet by the belts. De-

pending from the lever |82 near its mid-portion is a projection 205 on the end 'of which is mounted a fixed lug 208 having an inclined end sur- Thus, as the l reversing contact 24| is connected to one lead 243 of the reversing coil on the armature and the other lead 244 from the coil is. connected to power wire 230. I

Normally, the starting switch is open, the stop switch plunger is in engagement with contact 234, and the reversing switch'plunger with contact 240. When'the starting switch is closed by the arrival of a tray at the bell crank, current flows to the forward coil 221 on the armature through the three control switches to start the motor in a forward direction. As soon as the member |43 is raised by its shaft |38, the plunger` inthe stop switch shifts from contact 234 to contact 235. However, the latter contact is connected to power line 23| so that the application of current to coil 221 is continueduntil the brush is not affected. However, when the member |43 the articles have been returned to the tray.

The lever |92 'is released and returned to its' normal position when it has pivoted sufficiently This releases the vtray and permits the belts to move the tray from the cabinet, after to-clear the ends of the two lugs. Return of the bell crank to normal position does not interfere with the motion of the tray because the article supporting rods are `above the top of the crank arm and a portion of the rear tray frame member is cut away to clear the crank arm.

As stated above, the article lifting bars are raised and the brush operating lever |82 is lowered when the motor operates in one direction and reversed when.the motor is reversed.- To reverse the motor at the proper time, a reversing switch 2|5 (Fig. 13) with a two-way plunger 2|6 is mounted on the cabinet wall in the path of switch operating lugs 2|1 and 2|8 mounted on the lever |82 above and below the switch. To stop the motor at the'end of a complete cycle a stop switch 2|3 (Fig. 14) is mounted on the plate |90 in the path of a lug 220 on the member |43.

-Asshown in Fig. 17, the starting, reversing, and stop switches control the reversible motor lthrough a conventional magnetic reversing switch 225 having'an armature 228 actuated by a forward coil 221 and a reversing coll 228. The application of current to one of these coils shifts the armature and operates the motor in a corresponding direction. These magnetic switches are commercially available and it is believed that no further description thereof is required here.

One lead 228 fromthe forward coil is connetted to one side 230 of a power line. The other power lead 23| is connected to a contact 232 in the starting switch 203. The plunger 204 in the starting switch is connected through a wire 233 to the normally engaged contact 234 in the stop switch 2|8. The stop switch has an upper contact 235', which is connected to the power lead 23| through a wire 238. A plunger 231 in this stop switch is adapted to engage these.

contacts alternately and the plunger is connected through a wire 238 to the plunger 2|'6 in the lreversing switch. The reversing switch has a forward con.act 240 and a reversing contact 24| plunger by motion of the brush actuating lever |82. The forward contact 240 is connected to lead 242 on the forward amature coil. The

`actuating lever |82 attains its lowest position whereupon the lug 2|1 on the lever shifts the plunger 2li in the reversing switch from contact 240 to lcontact 24|. This action breaks the circuit to the forward coil 221 `on the armature and4 completes the circuit tothe reversing coil 228 to reverse the motor and return the brush and article lifting mechanisms to theirnormal positions. As `the brush actuating lever reaches its highest position, the stud 2|8 on the lever shiftsthe reversing switch plunger back 'to contact 240. Almost simultaneously the article lift`- ing bar supporting member |43 reaches its normal position and moves the stop switchL to con- 4been `opened -by release of the tray from the i vbell crank and the motor stops as soon as the tact 234. At this time the starting switch has stop switch is engaged to complete the cycle.

After the cleaned trays with the enamel bearing articles thereon are released from the cleaner, they are carried by the belts into the ovenV The use of mechanical vmeans for applying the enamel frit on the articles provides a highly sequently all articles receive the same quantityof frit and have equal coatings after the frit is fused in the furnace.

The operation of the cleaner in removing all frit from the trays before they enter the furnace preventsfusion of the articles to the tray, with which are alternately engaged with the associated article loss, and also prolonga tray life,

by eliminating the necessity for sand-blasting or acid-dipping the trays to remove fused enamel therefrom. v

The adoption of a fully automatic apparatus for applying a complete coating on the articles minimizes process handling and coating expense. By utilizing the travel of the trays or carriers to control the apparatus, the apparatus structure is greatly simplified and proper coordination of the complete mechanism facilitated.

Although a specific apparatus structure adapted for coating a particular .type of article has been described in detail, it will be apparent modications thereof are feasible and it is, therefore.v

to be understood that the invention lis limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

`l. In a coating apparatus, a tray, a conveyor for moving the-tray throughthe apparatus,

iting articles on the surface of the tray, means for depositing particles of vitreous enamel over the surface of the moving article bearing tray,

and means responsive to the movement of they -tray for successively lifting the articles from the t'ay'removing the enamel particles from the tray and then restoring the' articles to the tray without disturbing the enamel deposit on -the articles. y

2. In an article processing apparatus, a moving Ibelt, a tray onthe belt, a hopper containing the hopper for engaging the advanced article and v the hopper base to advance the article, pivoting the article engaging member against the article in its advanced position and restoring the base ,to normal while the member is applied against the article to transfer the article from the base to the tray. f

3. In an article processing apparatus, a moving belt, a tray on the belt, a hopper containing a 'stack of the articles positioned above the tray,

a movable base in said hopper having a surface recess therein adapted to receive the bottom farticle inthe hopper, a hinged bar adjacent to the hopper, an article engaging member on the the articles positioned above the tray, a movable base in said hopperhaving a surfacerecess therein dimensioned to receive one of the articles, a

pivoted arm for supporting the hopper base, a

hopper and withdraw the bottom article therefrom andthen restore the .base to its Inormal position, a hinged bar adjacent to the hopper,`

an article engaging member on the bar, and a second cam on the drive shaft for pivoting the drive shaft, a cam on the shaft for pivoting the p arm to move the base across the bottom of the y 2,282,252 means operated by the moving tray for deposthe hopper, a hinged bar adjacent to the hopper, a pin depending from the bar, an actuating rod on the bar, and a second cam on the drive shaft engaging the rod to pivot the bar and hold the 'pin in the opening in the advanced article while the base is restored to its normalpcsition to permit the article the tray. i.

7. In an article processing apparatus, a moving belt, a tray on the belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above the tray, a movable base in said hopper adapted to receive one of the articles, a pivoted arm engaging the base to slide from the pin onto for moving the base to advance ,an article and then restore the base to its normal position, a pivoted article engaging member adjacent to holding the article while the base is restored to transfer the article from the base tothe tray. and a common actuating means for the base and article engaging member, said actuating means being responsive to the movement of the trayl on the conveyor.

'8. In an article processing apparatus, a moving belt, a tray on the belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above the tray, a movable base in said hopper dimensioned to receive one of the articles, a pivoted arm for supporting the hopper base, a drive shaft, a cam on the shaft engaging the arm to .pivot the arm and move the base across the bottom of the .hopper advancing an article therefrom and then restore the base to its normal position, a pivoted article engaging member adjacent to the hopper, an actuating lever on the article engaging member, a second cam on the drive shaft engaging the lever for pivoting the article engaging member against the advanced article and holding the article while the base is restored to transfer the article from the base to the tray, a drive motor on the shaft, a motor switch adjacent to the belt, and a lug on the tray for operating the motor switch.

, 9. In an article processing apparatus, a moving belt, a tray on the belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above the belt, amovable the articles, a pivoted arm engaging the base,v

bar to apply-the article engaging member againstthe advanced article and hold the article while the base is restored to transfer the article from the base to the tray.

5. In an apparatus for processing articles having an opening therein, a moving belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above the belt,

a movable base in said hopper dimensioned to reanopening therein, a moving belt, a tray on thev belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above-the tray, a movable base insaid hopperv dime'nsioned to receive one of the articles, a pivf oted arm for supporting the base, a drive shaft. a cam on the shaft engagingy the arm to pivot the arm and move the' base across the bottom base in said hopper dimensioned'to receive one of a drive shaft, a cam on the shaft engaging the arm for pivoting the arm to move the base across the bottom of the hopper advancing the bottom article therefrom and then restoring the base to its normal position, a pivoted article engaging member adjacent to the hopper, an actuating lever on said member, a second cam on the drive shaft for pivoting the lever to apply the article engaging member against the advanced article and hold the article while the base'is restored to its normal position, a drive motor on the shaft, a motor starting switch adjacent to the belt, a lug-,on the tray for operating the motor starting switch, a motor stopping switch adjacent to the drive shaft, and a switch operating 'cam on the drive shaft engaging the motor stopping switch.

10. In an article processing apparatus, a moving belt, a tray on the belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above the belt, a movable base in said hopper for advancing an article from the hopper, a pivoted operating arm on the base,`

a drive shaft, a cam on the shaft for pivoting the base operating arm, a pivoted article engaging member Aadjacent to the base, a second cam on the drive shaft for pivoting the article engaging member, a motor on the drive shaft, a

- of the hopper for withdrawing an article from vclutch on the drive shaft, a pair oi' opposed solef noids having their plungers linked together, a clutch operating lever connected to the linked plungers, and means" responsive to the movement of the tray for selectively operating the solenoids.

1l. In an article processing apparatus, a moving belt, a tray on the belt, a hopper containing the articles positioned above the belt, a pivoted base in said hopper dimensioned to receive one of the articles, a drive shaft, -a cam on the shaft for pivoting the base to advance the article and then restore the base to its normal position, a pivoted artile engagingmember adjacent to the base, a cam on the drive shaft for pivoting the member against the advanced article and'holding the article while the base is restored, a motor on the drive shaft, a clutch on the drive shaft, a pivoted operating lever on the clutch, a solenoid having its plunger connected to the lever for pivoting the lever and engaging the clutch, a switch for said solenoid positioned adjacent to the belt, a lug on the tray adapted to engage said switch, a second solenoid having its plunger connected to the clutch lever to pivot the lever and disengage the clutch, a switch for said second solenoid positioned adjacent to the drive shaft, and a cam on the drive shaft engaging the switch for the second solenoid.

12. In an article coating apparatus, a conveyor, an article bearing tray on the conveyor, means for dep'ositing coating material over the y surface of the moving article bearing tray, and

adjacent means for removing the coating material from the tray, said lremoving means comprising a movable article lifting member, a motor for moving the member to lift the articles from the tray and then restoring the member to return the articles' to the tray, a pivotally mounted brush normally positioned adjacent to the tray, and a pivoted lever connected to the brush and actuated by theA motor for moving the brush across the surface of the tray during the period that the articles are positioned above the tray by the lifting member.

13. In an article coating apparatus, a conveyor, an article bearing tray on the conveyor, means for depositing vitreous enamel frit over the surface of the article bearing tray, and means for removing the frit from the tray without disturbing the frit on the articles, said removing means comprising a vertically movable shaft, an

article lifting bar on top of the shaft, a motor forv raising the shaft to lift the articles above the tray and then lower the shaft to return the articles to the tray, a rotating brush pivotally mounted mally positioned adiacent to the tray, and a pivoted lever connected to the brush and operated by the motor for moving the brush across the surface of the tray to sweep the coating material therefrom during the period that the articles are positioned above the tray by the lifting bar.

15. In an article coating apparatus, a constantly moving conveyor, an article bearing tray on the conveyor, means for depositing .coating material `over the surface of the article bearing tray, and means for removing the coating material from the tray, said removing means comprising a pivoted arm, a tray holding member on said arm normally positioned in the path of a moving tray, a vertically movable shaft, an article lifting bar on the shaft, a motor for raising the shaft tov lift the articles above the tray and then lowering the shaft' to return the articles to the tray, a pivoted brush normally positioned adjacent to the tray, a pivoted lever connected to the brush and operated by the motor for moving the brush across the surface of the tray to sweep the coating material therefrom during the period that the articles are positioned above the tray byA the lifting bar, and a lug on the shaft adapted to pivot lthe arm and release the tray when the shaft is lowered. y

16. In an article coating apparatus, a continuously moving conveyor, an article bearing tray on the conveyor, means for depositing coating material over the surface of the tray and articles, and means for removing the coating material from. the tray, 'said removing means comprising a vertical shaft below the conveyor adapted for, longitudinal movement, an article lifting bar on said shaft, a rotating brush pivand means for removing the coating material and normally positioned adjacent to the tray,

and a pivoted lever connected to the brush and operated by the motor for moving the brush across the surface of the tray to sweep the frit therefrom during the' period that the articles are s positioned above the tray by the lifting bar.

14. In an article coating apparatus, a conveyor, an article bearingv tray on the conveyor, f said tray having a frame and a series of transverse spaced rods supporting the articles, means for depositing coating material over the surface of the article bearing tray, and means for removingthe coating material from the tray, said removing means comprising a vertically movable shaft, an article lifting bar on the shaft dimensloned to flt between adjacent rods on the tray, a motor for raising the shaft to insert the bar between the rods and lift the articles above the .tray and then lowering the shaft to return the artioted vabove the conveyor, a pivoted lever on the brush, a drive motor, a cam on the drive motor in engagement with the shaft and the brush lever for raising and lowering the shaft, and moving the brush across the tray, a motor switch mounted adjacent to the conveyor, and a pivoted member normally positioned in the path of a tray on the conveyor to operate said switch when enrgaged by a tray and to hold the tray stationary on the moving conveyor during the operation of the article lifting bar and the brush.

17. In an article coating apparatus, a continuously moving conveyor, an article bearing tray on the conveyor, means for depositing coating material overthe surface of the tray and articles.

from the tray, said removing means comprising a vertical shaft adapted for vertical movement, a horizontal arm extending fromthe top of the shaft below the tray, an article-lifting bar on said arm, a pivotally mounted brush, an actuating rod on the brush, a drive motor, a cam on the drive motor in engagement -withthe `shaft and brush actuating rod for raising and lowering the shaft, and moving the brush across the surface of the tray, a pivoted lever adjacent to the conveyor, a member on said lever normally positioned in the path ofsa tray on the ccnveyor for cles to the tray, a pivotally mounted brush norholding the tray stationary on the moving conveyor during .the operation of the article lifting arm and brush, a fixed lug' on the lever, and a pivoted lug on the horizontal arm positioned to engage the fixed lug during` the downward movement of the shaft and move the tray engagingv member to a position below the tray.

18. In an article coating apparatus, a conveyor, an article bearing tray on the conveyor, means for depositing coating material over the surface of the tray and articles. and'means for removing the coating material from the tray, said removing means comprising a movable vertical shaft` an article lifting bar un4 the shaft, a pivotally mounted brush adjacent to the tray, an actuating rod on the'brush, a reversible motor, a cam on the motor in engagement with the shaft and the brush rod, a motor starting switch adjacent to the conveyor, va pivotedmember normally positioned in the ,path of a tray yon the conveyor to operate said switch whenv engaged bya tray and start the motor in one direction, a motor reversing switch adjacent to the brush rod, a'lug on the rod for operating the reversing Switch at the limit of rod movement, a motor stopping s witch positioned adjacent to the shaft, and a lug on the shaft positioned to engage the motor stopping switch when the shaft returns vto its normal position.

tinuously moving conveyor.v an article bearing tray on the conveyor, said'tray having a frame and a series of transverse rods supporting the articles, means for depositing coating material over the surface 'of the tray and articles, and means for removing the coating material from the tray, saidl removingl means comprising a ver tical shaft adapted for vertical movement. an

l article lifting .bar onthe shaft dimensioned to fit between. adjacenttray rods, a pivoted brush rotatably mounted adjacent to the tray, an actuating rod on the brush, a gear on the brush, a vdrive motor, a cam'V on the drive motor in ensagement with the shaft and brush rod for raising and lowering the shaft andmoving the brush across the tray surface while the shaft is raised, and a rack mountedabove the tray to engage the brush gear and rotate the :brush during its travel across the tray surface.

20 In an article coating apparatus, a conveyor,

19. In an article coating apparatus/a conan article'bearing tray on the conveyor, means for' depositing coating material over the surface of the tray and articles, and means for removing the enamel from the tray, said material removing means comprising a vertical shaft adapted for longitudinal movement, an'article lifting bar on the shaft, va pivotally mounted brush normally positioned adjacent to thetray, an actuating rod on the brush, a reversible motor, a c am on the motor in engagement with the shaft and the Abrush rod, a motor starting switch mounted adjacent to the conveyor, a pivoted member adjav -cent to the switch normally' positioned in the path .of a tray and adapted to operate said switch when engaged by a tray to start the motor in one direction to raise the shaft and move the brush across the tray surface. a motor reversing switch adjacent to the brush rod, a lug on the rod adapted to engage the reversing switch and cause the motor to restore the shaft and brush.

to their normal positions, a motor stopping switch adjacent to the shaft, and a lug on the `shaft'to engage the motor stopping switch when the shaft is restored to its normal position.

21. In an article coating apparatus, a tray, a`

conveyor for moving the tray through the ap-` paratus, means for depositing a plurality of l articles uniformly overA the surface of the tray,

means for depositing finely divided particles of vcoating material over thesurfaces of the tray and articles, and means actuated by the moving;l

tray for engaging and spacing the articles from the trayfor a time interval and. removing the. particles of coating material from the tray during ythe interval that the articles are spacedl therefrom. A WALTER J. SCOTT.

GEORGE STUHLFAUTH. 

